THE COMPETITIONS

Evening Post, Volume CXXIV, Issue 55, 2 September 1937, Page 11

THE COMPETITIONS

NEARING THE END

TODAY'S RESULTS

With the exception of the radio vocal solos, every class in the 1937 festival of the Wellington Competitions Society was to have concluded today or tonight. Today's classes were all for juveniles, except that for the Chappell vocal solo in which 62 adult singers were heard this morning and this afternoon in the Concert Chamber, where tonight the men's operatic solo will be taken.

The principal class for decision in the Town Hall variety concert tonight will be that for the Begg's New Zealand piano, championship, in which, three recalled competitors will play in the final contest for a 90-guinea piano. Other interesting items on tonight's programme will be the "Evening Post" church choir contest, the women's choirs, and the illustrated lecturette.

Thirty-two men and 54 women will sing at 2YA studio tomorrow in the radio vocal solo classes. The two recalled competitors in each class will broadcast from that station on Saturday night, and their songs will be brought to the Town Hall audience by a radio set in the hall, where the judge will hear the items and give his decision.

In the Town Hall tomorrow afternoon' the younger competitors and their friends will assemble for the "Wonderland Party," an innovation this year. Games, entertainments, and an orchestra under the direction of Frank Crowther will provide amusement for the children; most of whom will be in fancy dress, but probably the most popular item will be the "Mad Hatter's Tea Party" in the Concert Chamber. The same motif of "Alice in Wonderland" is to be used at the "Wonderland Ball" for adults in the Town Hall tomorrow night. There, too, most of the dancers are expected in fancy dress, and they will participate in a •grand parade early in the evening. A number of unusual cabaret turns have been arranged to fill in the five-min-ute intervals between dances. Some of them will be by members of the Frank Neil Revue Company, who will attend in force.

LIST OF AWARDS

The society's championship gold medals have been awarded to Murray Todd, of Wellington, for "the boys' junior elocution classes, and to Paddy Turner, of Masterton, for the girls' junior elocution classes. The following other awards were announced today:— _ Nimmo Cup (chief piano solo), Mr. Keith Picton, of Wellington; Music Traders' Shield (children's chorus), Napier Junior Choir;. Roselyn Walker Cup (aggregate in dancing classes), Miss Joy Smith, of Wellington; Belfridge's Cup (toe dancing), Miss Phyllis .O'Shea, of Wellington; Champion Belt (open eccentric dance), Ralph Wilkin, of Wellington; 'Mrs. Barton Ginger's Cup (picture' story ballet), the Jean Home School of Dancing; Sir Harry Lauder Cup (Scottish • song), Miss Kathleen Chappie, of Christchurch; the Dancing Cup (10-12 years), Audrey Allardice, of Wellington; Assheton Harbord Challenge Cup (elocution 12-16), Murray Todd, of Wellington; Herbi Burton Cup (amateur piano accordion solo), Mr. Keith P. Burnett, of Wellington; Nimmo Cup (open piano-accordion solo), Mr. Harry Unwin, of Petone; Assheton Harbord Medal (junior vocal), Paddy Turner, of Masterton; L. R. Partridge Medal (ladies' elocution aggregate), Miss Una Weller, of Wellington. " ■ Adjudicators, members of the executive, and others actively concerned with the conduct of the competitions were entertained at supper last night by the president, Mr. E. Ransom Myers, and Mrs. Myers. Vocal, elocutionary, and other items were contributed by those well-qualified to do so, and complimentary reference was made to the work of all engaged on the administrative side of the festival. It was a pleasing break in the routine of the competitions.

ADDITIONAL RESULTS

Platings announced today were as follows:— " „ „ , . . Irish Hornpipe, under 16 (13 entries). —Irene Rees (Christchurch), 76, 1; Gracie MacKay (Wellington), 75, 2. Very highly commended: Leah Kerr (Kelburn). Highly commended: Jean Prangley (Wellington), Judy Cooper (Wellington). Commended: Betty Paynter (Wellington), Meta McKenna (Wellington). • ■~,.■•■ Not a good class, commented Miss Smyth, but the first prize winner did a really authentic Irish hornpipe, with some very difficult steps which won her the dance. The other competitors mentioned all had good footwork and interpretation. t Song in Character, own selection (9 entries).—Mr. Godfrey Tiff en (Gisborne), "Myself When Young," 88, 1; Miss Grace Nixon " (Christchurch),' "Smuggler's Lass," 87, 2; Miss Dorothy Junker (Pahiatua), "Hine c Hine," 85, 3. Very highly commended: Miss Kathleen Chappie (Christchurch). "This was an interesting section that should attract more entries," said Mr. Leech. "The winner selected the character of 'Omar' and dressed it well in a good Oriental setting. He expressed the satire of \the poem with artistic discrimination. Miss Nixon's performance was a splendid piece of singing and acting, and her character was faithfully dressed and sustained to the climax. Miss Junker's Maori presentation was also a good study." Violin Solo, under 12, "Little Waltz in D," by H. Wessely (5 competitors).— Desmond Bohanna (Lower Hutt), 76, 1; Eric Foley (Wellington), 72, 2... This was a,difficult piece for little people, containing awkward half-posi-tions, long bows in pianissimo, and difficult backfall, said *'Mr. Scherek. The competitors did'very well.

Piano Solo, 18 and under 21, "Barcarolle, G Minor, Op. 44," by A.'Liadow .(6 entries).—Miss' Megan Rowlands (Martinborough), 90, 1; Mr. Colin G. Rouse (Wellington), 88, 2; Miss Katie Jourdain (Wellington),' 86, 3.

The first prize: winner played beautifully, with artistic feeling,..said Mr. Scherek. The second-placed competitor made some ..slips, but kept the'flow of the piece, better than the/third.

Operatic Daiicc, 8 and under 10 (44 entries).—Joy Smith (Kilbirnie),7s; 1; Lloma.'Larsen (Lower Hutt), Joy Paton '(Brooklyn), each 74, equal, 2^. Very highly commended:' Beverley' Gruar (Hataitai) and ■tynleyi-. Wainscott (Lower Hutt), Highly commended: Shirley' Maybury (Christchurch), Pa■trene Full (Northland).. ..Commended: Ngaire Corkhill (Wellington), Karen Austin, (Wellington),.. Beryl Richardsoil (Johnsonville). ■, ..

"A'very,good class," cdmmented.Miss Gibbs.'Considering'their age some of the young dancers showed remarkable promise arid with more attention paid to technique should do well 'indeed. The winner gave a charming performance, not Only1 iechnically, but capturing the spirit of her dance as well.